Tag Archives: sloops

The Fool’s Regatta 2014

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The 24th Annual Fools Regatta………what an amazing day out on the water.

The 24th annual Fool’s Regatta was the place to be on Saturday. All our Harbour Club Villas guests were taking in the fun at the beach with a full day of racing ahead, hobie cats, picos, big boats, caicos sloops and man made rafts were all racing. The day was as perfect as it could be, hot and sunny with a breeze blowing and lots of refreshments and food.

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Waiting for the races to begin at the Bight Children’s Park

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The wind was steady and the seas were calm.

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Neck and neck as the sailors took to the race course.

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The start of the big boats race………….there’s Capt Tim and Beluga who have been in every race for several years.

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Some of the youngsters from the Provo Sailing Association getting ready for their heat.

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Lovely shot of the kids skimming along over the water.

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Time for a break and to cool off in the water.

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Ready for the raft race with the Turks and Caicos flag.

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Let the raft race begin………….and off they go.

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Paddling for home and all the rafts stayed afloat! Well done everyone.

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Looks like they are taking on water but everyone finished the race.

Another successful Fool’s Regatta and the revival of the Great Raft Race. Mark your calendars for next year especially if you decide to come to the Turks and Caicos in June. We let all our guests at Harbour Club Villas know that this is a “must see and do” event. I look forward to it every year as it is filled with excitement and racing entertainment. Well done to all the volunteers and participants. Can’t wait to see you again next year.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Fool’s Regatta 2011

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What a great day we had at the annual Fool's Regatta held at the Children's Park in the Bight today.

What a great day we had at the annual Fool's Regatta held at the Children's Park in the Bight today.

We were a bit late today getting down to the Regatta as we had guests checking out and coming in. What a great afternoon on the beach watching all the hobie cat races, the Caicos Sloops and tug-o-war events, lots of food, drinks, music and raffle sale for all kinds of prizes . All the proceeds went towards the Provo Sailing Club kids sailing programme. The event was held down in the Children’s Park at the Bight and the beach was filled with people, locals and visitors having a fun time.

Mike, Barry and Mr. H in his distinctive sailing attire enjoyed the afternoon.

Mike, Barry and Mr. H in his distinctive sailing attire enjoyed the afternoon.

Here's Will one of the talented youngsters from the Provo Primary Steel Band that wowed the audience with their playing.

Here's Will one of the talented youngsters from the Provo Primary Steel Band that wowed the audience with their playing.

  

Ahoy Matey! This pirate was loving the steel band music.

Ahoy Matey! This pirate (the infamous Capt. Tim of Beluga fame) had a great time listening to the steel band music.

The Turks and Caicos Island Flag flies high as the Hobie Cats are waiting and lined up along the beach

The Turks and Caicos Island Flag flies high as the Hobie Cats are waiting and lined up along the beach

This little island miss absolutely loved playing in the water, red dress and all.

This little island miss absolutely loved playing in the water, red dress and all.

I think this cute fellow was hoping to get out for a sail

I think this cute fellow was hoping to get out for a sail

 

View of the beach at the Children's Park in the Bight

View of the beach at the Children's Park in the Bight

One of the highlights of the Fool's Regatta is the Caicos Sloop races

One of the highlights of the Fool's Regatta is the Caicos Sloop races

 

Sailing, teaching kids to sail......life doesn't get any better than this. Dave I believe is the originator of the Fool's Regatta and instrumental in all phases of planning and pulling this event off.

Sailing, teaching kids to sail......life doesn't get any better than this. Dave I believe is the originator of the Fool's Regatta and instrumental in all phases of planning and pulling this event off.

Thanks Dave, to you and all your helpers and workers for another successful, fun filled regatta. We’ll all be there next year and WE CAN’T WAIT!   

Mike and Barry with new friends Fabienne and Lissa here from our home town of Banff and Calgary. My neck sure needs some "trigger point" therapy

Mike and Barry with new friends Fabienne and Lissa here from our home town of Banff and Calgary. My neck sure needs some "trigger point" therapy ladies!!

For those of you that missed all the fun today, we hope you’ll mark your calendars and join us next year.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Long Bay Beach

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Long Bay beach today was a simply spectacular sight with such clear calm water

Long Bay beach today was a simply spectacular sight with such clear calm water

I decided to head to Long Bay this morning for a nice long walk on the beach. The day was picture perfect as the ocean was so calm and clear and you could see all the sand ripples in the water.

Long Bay is one of the areas that is loaded with old, discarded conch shells

Long Bay is one of the areas that is loaded with old, discarded conch shells

We walked down to the end of the beach passing by the remnants of several Haitien Sloops that ended up on the shores of the beach. I have some photos of the sloops on this blog. You have to be a little careful when walking as the prongs from old conch shells can do some damage if stepped on.

I saw a school of small fish in the water and was able to get some photos of them since the water was crystal clear

I saw a school of small fish in the water and was able to get some photos of them since the water was crystal clear

See the school of small fish in the foreground?

See the school of small fish in the foreground?

I spotted a nice piece of bamboo which we can use at Harbour Club Villas to drape a bouganvillea over. We’ll place it between the villas and tie bouganvillea  branches to it to form an archway of sorts.

Mike carries home the bamboo I found on the beach

Mike carries home the bamboo I found on the beach

Check out Long Bay as it truly is a wonderful beach for walking and just enjoying a little bit of quiet heaven on our island. Perhaps we’ll see you there.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Haitien Sloop

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Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach

Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach

We went out to Long Bay today as we were told that another Haitien Sloop had landed up on the shore. It must have come in under the cover of night with probably over 100 illegal Haitiens. We’ve had such calm seas which makes for an easier crossing.

The sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach

The handmade sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach

The beach and trail to the road is littered with discarded clothing, backpacks, shoes and even a cooking pot.  

The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water

The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water

The waves were quite strong when we were out at Long Bay today and I’m sure the sloop will get quite a pounding.

One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road

One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road

 

Illegal Hatiens arrive on our southern shores all too frequently……….some are caught and sent back home. Their boats are left on the beaches wherever they make landfall. These sloops are left to the elements and gradually are broken up by the wind and waves.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Fool’s Regatta 2009

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The kids had such fun racing handmade rafts down at the new Bight Park

The kids had such fun racing handmade rafts down at the new Bight Park

Barry and I headed down after three to take in the festivities at the annual Fool’s Regatta on Saturday. It is always such fun and this year the emphasis was on the kids. Food and drinks along with boat races, tug o’ war, hobie wave racing and a couple of beautiful caicos sloops.

Exhausted after paddling hard in the raft race to get to the finish!

Exhausted after paddling hard in the raft race to get to the finish!

The proceeds from this year’s Regatta went to the Volunteer Fire Fighters and the new National Sailing Centre.

Guess what this little fellow is going to be when he grows up?

Guess what this little fellow is going to be when he grows up?

We watched the exciting Hobie Waves racing and each one had to have a child on board.

We watched the exciting Hobie Waves racing and each one had to have a child on board.

The fire fighters team in the tug o' war............the rope broke three times until someone went and found a less weather beaten rope

The fire fighters team in the tug o' war............the rope broke three times until someone went and found a less weather beaten rope

North Caicos was well represented by this beutiful Caicos Sloop called Messenger II

North Caicos was well represented by this beautiful Caicos Sloop called Messenger II

Such a fun day………lots of sunshine, great events to watch and best of all we ran into people we hadn’t seen in a while. A time to relax with friends and just enjoy a great day at the beach. We’ll be sure to see you at the Fool’s Regatta in June of next year.

See you then!

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Haitien sloop

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Haitien sloops are often run aground in the Turks and Caicos

Haitien sloops are often run aground in the Turks and Caicos

This Haitien sloop recently grounded on a south side beach just up Turtle Tail on Providenciales. It  probably had some 100 illegals that came ashore. Some were caught by our island’s special police called SPICE and others would have tried to disappear.  I guess life here is a thousand times better than in Haiti and these sloops are becoming all too frequent.